Cloudflare Free Tier: The Market Leader

Cloudflare's free tier has become the de facto standard for basic DDoS protection, serving millions of websites worldwide. The service provides unmetered DDoS protection, meaning there are no bandwidth limits or attack size restrictions. This generous approach stems from Cloudflare's business model of upselling advanced features rather than basic protection.

Implementation requires only DNS changes, making Cloudflare accessible to users with minimal technical expertise. The service automatically detects and mitigates Layer 3, 4, and 7 DDoS attacks without user intervention. Global anycast network distribution ensures attacks disperse across hundreds of data centers, preventing any single location from being overwhelmed.

Beyond DDoS protection, the free tier includes valuable security features. Universal SSL provides HTTPS encryption without certificate costs or management overhead. Basic Web Application Firewall rules protect against common vulnerabilities. Page rules enable custom caching and security configurations. These additional features create comprehensive protection beyond just DDoS mitigation.

Limitations exist despite generous free offerings. Advanced firewall rules, custom SSL certificates, and detailed analytics require paid plans. Rate limiting, bot management, and API protection also fall into premium tiers. Support remains community-based for free users, potentially problematic during active attacks. Understanding these limitations helps set appropriate expectations.